The Eagle's Nest | Open for Summer Season
Historic lookout point high above Berchtesgaden
Attention: No pedestrians alowed on the road!
The Eagle’s Nest is located above Berchtesgaden at an elevation of 1,834 meters above sea level. I'ts history is inseparably linked to that of the Obersalzberg. Between 1933 and 1945, it was the second most important center of power of the Nazi dictatorship, aft er Berlin, where decisions were made about persecution, war, and genocide. Built in 1937/38, the Tea House was intended to serve as place of political representation, away from public view, and leave guests awestruck. Aft er the bus ride up a steep mountain road, a passageway leads through a tunnel to an elevator which then carries guests up about 124 meters directly into the Tea House. There, you are greeted by a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain ranges. In reality, the signifi cance of this house during the Nazi era was minimal. Hitler rarely went up there to receive diplomats or other foreign guests. Far more oft en, it was the Nazi entourage which gathered at the Obersalzberg for recreation and private celebrations.
Since 1952, the building has been used as a mountain guesthouse and has become a popular excursion destination. The original construction has largely been preserved, whilst almost all other buildings on the Obersalzberg from the Nazi era have since disappeared. An exhibition informs visitors about the history of the Eagle’s Nest and its connection to Hitler and the Obersalzberg. Because boulders on the cliff s above the Kehlstein road break loose due to ice and snow during the winter months, the mountainsides are „cleaned“ every spring to protect buses from falling rocks. In addition, a total of 285 meters of protective fences have been erected. Thanks to such measures, there have been no incidents since 1952.